ARC Review: Finding Paris by Joy Preble

Release Date: April 21, 2015

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 272

Received: Publisher

Star Rating: ★ ★ ★½ ☆ ☆








Summary:
                 Sisters Leo and Paris Hollings have only ever had each other to rely on. They can't trust their mother, who hops from city to city and from guy to guy, or their gambler stepfather, who's moved them all to Las Vegas. It's just the two of them: Paris, who's always been the dreamer, and Leo, who has a real future in mind--going to Stanford, becoming a doctor, falling in love. But Leo isn't going anywhere right now, except driving around Vegas all night with her sister.

Until Paris ditches Leo at the Heartbreak Hotel Diner, where moments before they had been talking with physics student Max Sullivan. Outside, Leo finds a cryptic note from Paris--a clue. Is it some kind of game? Where is Paris, and why has she disappeared? When Leo reluctantly accepts Max's offer of help, the two find themselves following a string of clues through Vegas and beyond. But the search for the truth is not a straight line. And neither is the path to secrets Leo and Max hold inside. [goodreads]

My Thoughts:

I'm not going to personally compare "Finding Paris" to "Thirteen Reasons Why" or "Speak" because I believe the novel can stand on its own stage. "Finding Paris" focused on certain family issues and also embarked a road trip to find Paris. I undoubtedly enjoyed the sister dynamic of Leo and Paris. I think this is the first YA novel I read the takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their lives were going smooth until Paris ditches Leo at the Heartbreak Hotel. And Leo was talking to Max while all this happened. Leo and Max discover truth after truth when they follow Paris's trail of clues.

This was a fairly fast and short read, which are my favorites. I can never turn down a road trip esc. novel and the premise intrigued me. Sisterhood really took a play in the novel as a whole. They had certain attitudes that made it sound like everyone was against them, but I understand in their situation.

Leo's character had substantial characteristics. She usually always had a plan for the situation at hand and she really cared for her sister. She was also determined and smart, but lacked practical decision making. Paris was an enjoyable character at times. I never really fully understood her until I finished the book. She was sometimes unpredictable and a wild spirit. 

I'm never not going to mention the love interest. Max and Leo's relationship felt a little rushed, but I succumbed to it. The time span of "Finding Paris" was around a few days, so I understand why curiosity fled and secrets arose. Looking at the novel as a whole, I liked it for the most part. The ending has a good twist because I was a little clueless, then bewildered. "Find Paris" is a satisfying contemporary read and not something to overlook.

Finding Paris by Joy Preble: Out April 21, 2015

3.5/5 STARS